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Lilly Route: Conflict: 1-10: High Point, Low Point

Aug 8th, 2013
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  1. Lilly and I stay together in the tea room for a long time, talking and catching up, holding hands and talking about what we'll do when school begins and university looms before us. At one point I step to the other side of the table and join her, side by side, her head resting on my shoulder. Her hair is close enough for me to smell the scent of her shampoo. I missed it for so long, it smells wonderful. Time drags on and eventually I look out the window and see how dark it's gotten. I check my watch to confirm my fears. "It's time," I say.
  2.  
  3. I can feel Lilly tighten her shoulders under my arm which is draped over her. "Is it already?"
  4. "I'm afraid so. We'll have to meet Akira at the entrance for you to go back to Shizune's."
  5. Lilly nestles into the crook of my arm, our tea long ago grown cold. "I don't want to."
  6. "I know, Lilly. We'll be together soon. It'll be all right."
  7.  
  8. Lilly's face twists into a mask of hurt. "This isn't how it was supposed to be. This isn't how things are supposed to go...."
  9.  
  10. I wrap her in a tight hug and she lets out a single, controlled sob before burying her face in my shoulder. My chest aches and my heart pains me.
  11. I hold her, rubbing my hand up and down her back as she clings to me. I feel just as miserable as she does, but I try to keep strong for her. I'm glad she can be this open with how she feels now. Before in our relationship, I fear she would have just borne her anguish silently without telling me how upset she was about our parting, so as not to trouble me with her feelings. Now though it's hard for me to see her like this, knowing there isn't anything I can do to ease her pain except wait for it to be over.
  12.  
  13. Silently, we both clean up the tea room before leaving. Our walk is very slow, dragging the trip out for as long as we can. I even lead Lilly on a detour through the school that I know isn't the way we came, but will prolong what little time we have left together. I'm sure Lilly notices, because she takes the chance to steal a few kisses from me which I eagerly let her take.
  14.  
  15. We walk through the quad on our way to the entrance and find Akira leaning against one of the light posts, staring up at the dim evening sky. She see us coming and raises a hand in greeting. "Yo," she says.
  16.  
  17. Lilly lifts her face when she hears her sister's voice. "Hello, Akira."
  18. Akira smiles like a cat who just caught the mice. "You two have fun?" she says teasingly.
  19. I subtly shake my head and Lilly seems to shrink in my arms at her sister's words.
  20.  
  21. Akira cringes. "Sorry. You two okay?"
  22. "We'll be fine," I say, supporting Lilly a little. "We'll be all right."
  23. Lilly nods slowly.
  24. Akira watches the two of us, a dark expression passing her face. "I'm sorry, you two. I wish there was something I could do to help."
  25.  
  26. I shrug helplessly and Lilly sighs in resignation. "Did you speak to mother in Scotland?" she asks, changing the subject.
  27.  
  28. Akira sneers and blows her hair out of her face. "No. I called and got nothing but the machine. It's still too early there, I doubt she'd even be up by now. I'll call later tonight when I get the chance."
  29.  
  30. The three of us move on, Akira giving me and Lilly a good distance to ourselves when we arrive at the front gates.
  31.  
  32. Mr. Satou stands nearby, leaning on his cane and staring a hole into his expensive looking wristwatch, impatiently waiting for us. He's the first to notice our approach. Shizune is glaring at her own watch while Misha leans heavily on the wall, looking to be half asleep.
  33.  
  34. Mr. Satou raises his head at our arrival. "It's about time you brought them back, Akira. We have been waiting for you. That is the second time today you have kept me from my schedule."
  35.  
  36. Akira grimaces with a little bit of malice hidden in the expression. "Just give them some time, please?" she pleads.
  37.  
  38. Mr. Satou rolls his eyes.
  39.  
  40. Shizune smacks Misha gently who rouses herself awake, her hands beginning to twitch with signing even before she's completely aware.
  41.  
  42. Akira looks between me and Lilly. "I'll go get my car."
  43. She walks away, hands in her pockets, giving me and Lilly just a few more moments together.
  44.  
  45. "Well," I say, "here we are."
  46. That sounded pathetic, but I don't have anything else to lead with, so I go silent.
  47. Lilly holds my hands very tightly, her mouth a conflicted line. She makes to say something, but it comes out all wrong and turns into a pained murmur.
  48.  
  49. I hug Lilly and I can feel her body shake with repressed emotions, her tears warm on my shoulder. "I don't want to go," she whispers.
  50. I hold her, my hand running down her hair, trying not to break down myself. "It'll be over soon, you'll see. You'll be back and we'll be together and this will all have been a short inconvenience, nothing more."
  51. Her mouth tightens. "I miss you so much. This isn't fair at all!"
  52. I swallow the lump in my throat. "I know."
  53.  
  54. Over Lilly's shoulder, I see Misha signing and Shizune watching her, then looking at us, her face an impenetrable and expressionless mask. Still, she doesn't take her eyes off of me and Lilly and I find it strange how she keeps watching us like that. Near us, Mr. Satou stands, watching Lilly, his eyes boring into me as well. He blinks a few times and looks to be in thought.
  55.  
  56. Soon Akira pulls up and it's time for Lilly to go. She still clings to me as I walk her to the car. Akira gets out and looks like she's about ready to tell the two of us to never mind and go off on our own, but she doesn't. Misha and Shizune climb in, Shizune sneaking glances at Lilly and I.
  57.  
  58. We hold each other for a very long time, unwilling to go our own separate ways. She wants to kiss me, I know she does, her fingers seeking out and gently touching my lips. She stops just barely, though; her father is still nearby.
  59.  
  60. "I love you, Hisao."
  61. I rest my forehead against hers. "I love you too, Lilly."
  62. "We'll be together again soon. I promise."
  63.  
  64. "If it means that much to you, Lillian," Mr. Satou interjects, "I can take the time to drive you to the school every few days. I'll have the chance to acquainted with the young man and give the two of you some time together. Supervised, of course."
  65.  
  66. Lilly smiles, but it's sad and a bit forced. "Thank you, Father. That would be nice."
  67. It's better than nothing, I guess. I don't know how many chances to be alone she and I will have with her father around. He already seems hesitant to give the two of us any privacy. I doubt we'll have many opportunities to be alone for any length of time, if we have any to begin with. "Goodbye, Lilly," I reluctantly say.
  68.  
  69. She touches my lips again, her fingers along my chin and cheeks, absorbing my face and every feature. "I'll call tomorrow morning," she says. "I promise."
  70. "I wouldn't be able to start my day without it," I tell her.
  71.  
  72. We hug and separate from each other, finally accepting the end of our day together.
  73.  
  74. From inside the car I hear a loud bang, Shizune slamming her fist into the window, having watched our goodbye the whole time. She climbs out very quickly, dragging Misha along with her, towing her around the car, Misha stunned and taken for the ride against her will.
  75.  
  76. Shizune plants herself in front of me and Lilly, her teeth gritted, shoulder set back in an annoyed stance. She begins frantically signing, so fast it looks like gibberish to me. She makes them sharply, forcefully at the two of us, a look of exasperation and anger on her face. Misha just stares, her eyes wide in surprise and confusion. Mr. Satou watches as well, just as confused as the rest of, trying to keep up with Shizune's erratic flailing.
  77.  
  78. "Hisao, what's wrong? What's happening?" Lilly asks, upset by everyone sudden silence.
  79. "I... I don't know. Shizune is saying something, I think."
  80.  
  81. Or having some form of seizure, I guess.
  82.  
  83. Shizune finishes her tirade and stands, arms crossed over her chest.
  84. She looks... angry? Pissed? Annoyed? I'm not entirely sure.
  85.  
  86. Misha blinks, then her face lights up. "Oh, Shiichan! Really? Do you really mean it?"
  87. Shizune nods, a perfectly functional movement.
  88. "You really want that?"
  89. Shizune rolls her eyes, egging Misha on.
  90.  
  91. Misha turns to me, a broad smile on her face. "Hichan! Shiichan wants to ask you a question!"
  92. I'm still holding Lilly by the arm, our embrace half abandoned. I'm not too happy with the interruption, but whatever it is, it seems to have shaken Shizune a lot and be important enough for such a dramatic intercession. "What is it?"
  93.  
  94. Misha leans forward, hands on her hips. "Shiichan would like to know if you want to spend the rest of the summer at her house!"
  95.  
  96. My jaw drops to the floor and Lilly goes very still in my arms, her tears having already threatened to fall from her now widened eyes. "What? What do you mean?" I ask.
  97.  
  98. "Just what she said, silly~! Shiichan wants to know if you'd like to spend the rest of summer at her house~! The two of you are being idiots, that's what Shiichan says! The both of you are pathetic! It makes no sense for you to stay here if you're not accomplishing anything and if you join us, it will at least give something to occupy Lilly with! She'd like that, wouldn't she? Of course she would!"
  99.  
  100. Shizune watches Misha finish her signs. She adds a quick few gestures to the end.
  101.  
  102. Misha laughs. "That's right, Shiichan! I'm sick of watching Lilly be all depressed too! She says it's the best way to get her to stop pestering Shiichan about driving to Yamaku every day! It only makes sense~! Instead of taking the time to drive Lilly to Hiichan once a week, we can bring Hiichan to the house! That makes sense, right? Right~! The house is big and there's plenty of places he can stay, you'll hardly know we're there! And we were bored too, so it'll give us something exciting to do as well! Problem solved! Everyone wins! Right? Right!"
  103.  
  104. I can't believe what I'm hearing! Is Shizune really offering this to me? "Shizune, is this true? Do you really mean that?"
  105.  
  106. Misha signs for me and Shizune rolls her eyes before responding. "Of course! Do you think Shiichan would joke about something like this? She's sick of Lilly sulking all day! She haunts the house like a ghost!" Misha laughs. "Maybe this will get her out of the little rut she's been in! That's a terrible thing to say, Shiichan! Well, I guess it's true, though...."
  107.  
  108. I turn to Lilly, still in my arms. She's very still, her mouth open in surprise and eyes staring ahead. "Lilly? Is... that all right?"
  109.  
  110. She takes a few moments before she covers her mouth and laughs girlishly. "Yes! Oh, yes! Please!" She throws her arms around me and squeals in delight, a little outburst before she gasps and controls herself again, hands clasped in front of her. Still, she can't keep the smile off her face nor the blush of excitement on her cheeks as she settles back down.
  111.  
  112. After reluctantly letting me go, Lilly turns towards Misha's last known location. "Misha, where is Shizune?" Lilly holds her hand straight out in an open handshake. I move it to face Shizune who stares at the offered hand like it was a venomous snake. Eventually, and only out of good sportsmanship, Shizune takes it very softly and gives it the barest of shakes with just the tips of her fingers.
  113.  
  114. Lilly grabs tightly and yanks Shizune into a hug.
  115.  
  116. You'd think Shizune was being embraced by a giant cockroach for the look of horror and disgust she has, squirming and pushing to get away from Lilly's unwanted sign of endearment and thanks. Still, Lilly is much taller and the far shorter Shizune can't fight back against her very well. Lilly holds her tightly, a look of placid affection on her face while Shizune might as well be cussing and screaming at her.
  117.  
  118. Eventually Shizune squirms out and slips away, a look of panic on her features, grasping her chest and gasping for dear life. Misha chortles loud enough to mute a marching band, a pained look on her face as she grabs her sides and laughs out loud. I see a look of pleased surprise from Akira. I imagine this is what Lilly and Shizune were like before the rivalry began.
  119.  
  120. Shizune recovers, a pissed look and manner prevalent in her body language. She throws hand signs everywhere and one of them I don't need Misha to translate for me. Misha recovers soon and speaks. "That's awful, Shiichan! She's just happy! She's thanking you! Another outburst like that, Lilly, and Shiichan will rescind her previous offer!"
  121.  
  122. Lilly is embarrassed over her actions, crossing her arms over herself in a tight hug. Still, her smile is infectious, and she can barely hold herself together. "Tell her I'm very sorry, but I don't care. Tell her... tell her, 'Thank you, cousin. Thank you so much'!'"
  123.  
  124. Misha does and Shizune shrugs back. Lilly then holds open her hand out once more and Shizune stares at it for the second time, this time like an offered hand grenade. Still, she takes it and shakes before Lilly traces something in Shizune's palm which makes her smile.
  125.  
  126. Lilly turns towards me, finds me and holds my shoulders. "You can come tonight!"
  127. I laugh. "Lilly, no matter how much I would love that, I can't! I have to pack for something like this. Not too mention inform the school I'll be leaving. I'd better call my parents, too."
  128. "Then tomorrow we'll pick you up."
  129. "I don't know if that will be enough time...."
  130. "Then the day after at the latest!"
  131.  
  132. I hug her tightly. "All right, all right! Day after tomorrow, I promise."
  133.  
  134. She breaks the hug, her face lit up in a blush of excitement. I turn to Shizune, unsure of what to say. She stares at me for a moment, expecting something I imagine, but I don't want my gratitude to her to be translated through Misha.
  135.  
  136. I stand in front of Shizune and I bow as deeply as I can.
  137.  
  138. Shizune blinks several times, embarrassed by my action, before turning away, waving her hand and my thanks aside. Still, if I didn't think I'd get a swift kick between the legs, I'd hug her as hard as Lilly did.
  139.  
  140. Shizune climbs into the car with Misha after telling me goodbye and that they'd see me soon. Lilly embraces me one last time before we separate."Two days," she says to me.
  141. "Two days, " I tell her back.
  142.  
  143. Mr. Satou, who has been standing back the whole time, steps up to Lilly and puts a hand gently on her shoulder. "We will talk later, Lillian. I am very happy for you."
  144.  
  145. Lilly smiles broadly. "Thank you, Daddy."
  146. Mr. Satou chuckles and kisses Lilly on the head before helping her into the car.
  147.  
  148. Akira, still standing outside and leaning on the drivers side roof, looks at me and Mr. Satou standing next to each other. "Father, there's still room. I can drive you to the limo and you can drive to your hotel."
  149. Mr. Satou shakes his head. "No need. I can walk to the car easily enough. I'll be in contact."
  150.  
  151. Akira looks at him, then her eyes flash to me before darting back. "Okay, sure. Talk to you soon." She nods at me. "Hisao, I'll see you in a couple days."
  152. "Later, Akira."
  153.  
  154. She climbs in reluctantly. The car roars to life and drives off, but I see Misha's hands out the back window, waving frantically as Akira drives away.
  155.  
  156. Mr. Satou and I stand in front of the gates of Yamaku watching them leave until they vanish down the hill. When they disappear, there's an uncomfortable silence left behind in their absence.
  157. I think for a moment of what to do to fill the gap; I guess I should take the opportunity and say something to him. I gather my courage and face Mr. Satou "Um, well... excuse me, sir. I guess I should apologize for the way we met."
  158.  
  159. He makes an uncommitted sound.
  160.  
  161. "I... understand that you're pretty upset. Lilly decided to stay in Japan mostly because of me."
  162. He looks me up and down and nods slowly.
  163. "I guess what I'm trying to say is I hope you and I can come to some understanding. I know that Lilly would really like for us to get along and I'd like to give it a chance."
  164.  
  165. I hold my hand out to the man as an offering.
  166.  
  167. Mr. Satou stares at my proffered grip, then thrusts his chin up. "You don't have to keep the act up, boy. She's not here anymore."
  168. I get sick to my stomach.
  169. "You certainly seem to have lucked out, young man."
  170. "What do you mean?"
  171. He looks at me, a smile creeping onto his face. "The rest of the summer, alone with my daughter in a large house all to yourselves with little to no supervision? What young man wouldn't be thrilled at the prospect?"
  172.  
  173. I put my hand down; I get the feeling he won't be taking it. "I'm... I'm just glad I get to spend the time with her," I say.
  174. "I'm certain you are." He stands next to me, towering over me. "Do you think I'm a fool?"
  175. That sick feeling gets stronger.
  176. "I asked you a question, boy, answer me when I speak to you. 'Do you. Think I am. A fool?'"
  177. I shake my head, rooted to the spot.
  178. "You would be correct; I am no fool. I expected this sort of trickery from Akira, but not from my Lillian. Shocking! Do you actually think I believe that my oldest daughter supervised the two of you as she said she would? Do not answer that; the truth is painfully obvious. Lillian's compliance with Akira's deception is only a sign of how badly things have gotten here without me to watch over her. To think I imagined Akira would raise my daughter properly! You would be correct to think I was a fool to assume that, but on this matter, I am very, very sure; if you think that this unexpected turn of events will be giving you free reign over my daughter, I assure you, you are poorly mistaken. Very poorly mistaken, indeed." He uses his cane and roughly taps me in the shoulder several times, nudging me slightly. "I don't know how a limping gimp with a droopy heart like you manged to worm his way into my daughter's affections, but I will get to the bottom of it soon enough."
  179.  
  180. The words and names sting worse than I thought anything could!
  181. How does he know about my heart?
  182.  
  183. "I had hoped Lillian would have the good sense to only interact with people of a particular social circle, but I can tell now that Akira has been negligent in assuring her sister only associates with the proper element."
  184.  
  185. 'Proper element'?
  186.  
  187. "In addition," he says, continuing his tirade, "I don't appreciate your language around my daughter."
  188. "Language?"
  189. "You're use of a particular word."
  190.  
  191. I have no idea what he's talking about!
  192.  
  193. "You really have no idea?" he says in a patronizing tone.
  194. I shake my head.
  195. He sighs as if he was dealing with an idiot. "When you were speaking with my daughter just now, you said, and I quote, '"It'll be over soon. You'll 'see'! You'll be back and we'll be together and this will all have been a short inconvenience, nothing more.' Now do you remember?"
  196.  
  197. I can't believe he remembers exactly what I said! "I don't understand," I tell him.
  198.  
  199. "Clearly not. Then let me spell it out for you since you seem to need the help; I don't appreciate you using the term 'see' around my daughter. It is insensitive and uncaring. Shameful! You are lucky I do not thrash you for using such language around her! Were we living in a better age, I would be well within my right too!"
  200. "Lilly has never once thought that something like that is insensitive!"
  201. "Don't you raise your voice to me!" he shouts.
  202.  
  203. I take a step away from him
  204.  
  205. He steps forward and jabs me again, this time hard enough to hurt a little. "If you think you have the right to talk to me in that manner, you are mistaken! I assure you, you will not have a moment's peace until I get to the bottom of exactly what you are planning for my Lillian." He puts the head of the cane on my shoulder and presses it firmly into me. "Listen well; if you think I'll let some common trash like you to continue associating with my daughter, you have another thing coming!"
  206.  
  207. I feel like I'm stuck in the middle of the tracks with a train about to plow straight through me. I can't speak and I don't know what to do, frozen in inaction.
  208.  
  209. My rescue comes in the shape of a pair of shadows walking through the gates of Yamaku and into the street light's glow; "What do you think you're doing?"
  210.  
  211. Mr. Satou bring his cane down and away and takes a step back from me. It takes me some time to turn away from him, reluctantly tearing my attention away from him, but I see Mutou and Nurse standing behind me. Mutou looks atypical for himself, huge bags under his eyes after a long day of work, disheveled coat and a bent cigarette burning between his lips. Nurse is out of his customary white coat, now wearing a black and red leather jacket covered in buttons and zippers with a matching motorcycle helmet under his arm. Neither one of them looks happy.
  212.  
  213. "Hey, Hisao," Nurse says. "How's that knee doing?"
  214. "F-fine," I say, still shaken by what just happened. "Where's Emi?"
  215. "Staying over the night with Rin."
  216.  
  217. Mutou looks me up and down and then glares at Mr. Satou. "What do you think you were doing with this young man?"
  218. Mr. Satou smiles, that reasonable expression of his coming easily. "I was simply having a conversation with the boy."
  219. "Do you always poke people you talk to with that cane?" Mutou shoots back.
  220. Mr. Satou laugh congenially. "I'm not sure who you are, but..."
  221. "My name is Akio Mutou. I'm a teacher here and this young man is my student, so I'll ask you to keep your hands off of him."
  222. Mr. Satou smirks. "A teacher? Of course, you would be. Well, you may not know who I am, but I'm..."
  223. "I know who you are," Mutou interrupts again. "You're Hiroyuki Satou. I recognize you from your portrait in the Yamaku Foundation offices."
  224. "Then you have no reason to be concerned, do you?"
  225. Mutou glares. "Considering you are a 'former' member of the Foundation, I am concerned. Only students and current faculty are allowed on the campus after dark. You're trespassing."
  226. "My daughter is a student here."
  227. "It is summer break. Is she staying in the dormitories?"
  228. "No, she is...."
  229. "I guess I was right, you are trespassing, aren't you?"
  230.  
  231. Mr. Satou look shocked to be talked to in such a manner. "I think you had better reconsider your tone with me, sir. I helped make this school what it is and I won't be spoken to in this manner by some tenured bum!"
  232.  
  233. Mutou pulls the cigarette out of his lips and hurls it to the ground. "Now I'm really offended. I'm not nearly old enough for tenure. But seeing that you did make this school what it is, I don't imagine you would wish to flout it's rules and regulations; It is after dark. You are trespassing. The Nurse will take you outside school property. If you would like to continue this conversation, we can do it outside. I can tell you, though; you try and poke me with that cane, we'll have more than just words."
  234.  
  235. Nurse shifts his grip on the helmet and steps up to Mr. Satou, gesturing towards the parking lot. "I'd be happy to take you out, sir," he says.
  236.  
  237. Mr. Satou glares down at Nurse who has a tight smirk on his face. Mr. Satou turns towards me. "We are not finished, boy. I will speak to you on this matter later."
  238.  
  239. Nurse looks back at Mutou and nods, then at me. "See you tomorrow, Hisao. Be kind to that knee."
  240. I just nod back without a word.
  241. With Nurse watching him closely and near behind, Mr. Satou walks off towards the parking lot, his cane clicking against the pavement.
  242.  
  243. I breathe for a couple seconds, wondering what the hell just happened.
  244. I jump when Mutou steps next to me. "Nakai, are you all right?"
  245. I turn towards him, my hands shaking. "I'm... I'm okay."
  246. "Are you sure? He didn't harm you, did he?"
  247. I shake my head.
  248.  
  249. Mutou looks conflicted for a minute. "What was he talking to you about?"
  250. "It... it was about Lilly."
  251. "Lilly? Lilly Satou?" Mutou looks up at the sky. "Daughter, right. Of course, should have known. You're... still dating?"
  252. "Yeah, we are."
  253. "Wasn't she leaving the country?"
  254. "She stayed."
  255. Mutou blinks at me. "Because of you?"
  256. "Yeah. I went to the hospital. You gave me a get well present."
  257. Mutou winces. "Right. Of course. I forgot, sorry." He looks me up and down. "Are you really okay?"
  258.  
  259. I nod again. I feel... a little sick, actually. It's not the kind of sick I get from my heart or medication, it's kind of a sour pit in my stomach that winds it's way into my numbing fingers and into the top of my head. It's the feeling I get every time my heart calms down after an episode, that feeling that sneaks in whenever I think that the next attack is the one that's going to kill me.
  260.  
  261. It's fear. It tastes yellowy and coppery on my tongue.
  262.  
  263. Mutou raises a hand, hesitates, puts it back down, then places it on my shoulder. "Hey, listen, if you... need something. Like, to talk during the summer? I'll be around school if you need it."
  264. "Thank you," I tell him. "Actually, I'll be spending the rest of the summer at Shizune's house. Lilly is staying there."
  265. "Hakamichi? Well, that's better than being cooped up in your dorm for the break. Good for you." Mutou shrugs and fishes into his coat pocket, eventually finding a badly crushed business card. "Here. Keep this. Give me a call, Hisao, anytime. Don't be afraid to call at night, I don't sleep. Not much, anyway."
  266.  
  267. I take the card and see his numbers on it. I breathe a sigh, clearing my head. "Thanks, boss. I appreciate it."
  268. He smirks at the boss comment, but looks uncomfortable, removing his hand from my shoulder. "Yeah. Enjoy your summer, then."
  269.  
  270. He looks like he wants to say something or do something else, but he just hesitates, shrugs, and then walks, off giving me a warm nod of passing.
  271.  
  272. I'm left all alone at Yamaku's front gate, still trying to figure out what just happened between me and Mr. Satou.
  273.  
  274. So much for becoming friends with Lilly's Dad, I guess.
  275.  
  276. ~End Act 1~
  277.  
  278. ----------------------------------------
  279.  
  280. 2-1: http://pastebin.com/3FzKS3yU
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